Side frame



Aug. 2 2 1927;

D. s. BARRows SIDE FRAME Filedhu 15. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1* Aug. 2, 192?; 1,637,724

D. s. BARROWS SIDE FRAME Filed .Aug. 15. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED STATES- 1,637,724 PATENT oFFIcE.

DONALD S. BARROWS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

SIDE FRAME.

Application filed August 15, 1925. Serial No. 50,441.

This. invention relates to side frames for,

and spaced by bolster columns with the provision of relatively flexible junctions between said members and bolster columns.

An object of my invention is the provision of a cast side frame for railway trucks in which the junctions between the compression and tension members are made relatively rigid and an elliptic structure is provided adjacent each end of the frame designed to resist local concentrated loads from the journal boxes, the secondary stresses which may result from actual non-intersection of the 'neutral axes of the members, and those her.

which arise from a tendency toward relative angular, movement under load between the tension and compression members.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a side frame for railway car trucks in which the compression member is so formed that it is relatively shallow at the center thereof, is designed to flex to a maximum degree at that point, and provided with bolster columns which are relatively shallow so that they may accommodate themselves to flexing movement of the compression mem- Another object of my invention is the provision of a side frame for railway cars in which the compression and'tension members are rigidly connected at their ends and spaced at intermediate portions thereof by bolster columns, the lower ends of said bolster columns being united to form a spring plank seat which rests on the central portion of the tension member, the tension member being formed relatively deep at its ends and decreasing in depth until it is relatively flexible where it passes under the bolster columns, said tension member bein divided adjacent said bolster columns so t hat portions of the spring plank seat pass therethrough,

and so flexible adjacent its junction therewith that secondary stresses at such junction are eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the inu,

vention relating to the particular arrangement and comb nation of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof 1s pointed out 111 the claims:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of my improved side frame.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, shown partly in section on the line 22 of Figure 1, and partly broken away.

' Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through one of the bolster columns on the line H of Figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are transverse sections of the compression member on the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of Figure 1.

1 Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the.

line 8-8 of Figurel.

Figures 9 andlO are detail sectional views on the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a partial side elevation corresponding to Figure 1, but showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in which similar reference characters desi nate like parts, a preferred embodiment of my side fame 1 is illustrated and comprises a compression member 2 and a tension member 3, said compression and tension members being rigidly united at their ends and to rigid structures 4 adapted to extend over and embrace the journal boxes, not shown. These rigid structures 4, at each end of the frame, are formed generally elliptical or elongated in outline with upright web portions 5, lower flange portions 6, and upper flange portions 7, in the present embodiment,

The flange portions 6 and 7 are curved over and around the adjacent journal box and united at their ends, forming a structure somewhat resembling the head of a wrench, the jaws of which embrace the corresponding journal box. Bracing webs 8 may be provided between the flanges 6 and 7 lit of the elliptical structure 4, sa'iid webs preferably diverging outwardly from the lower flange 6 and certain of said webs being formed as continuations of flange portions of the compression and tension members.

For instance,'the compression member 2 is preferably formed as an I section ad acent its ends and therefore comprises an upright web portion 9 and upper and lower flanges l0 and 11, respectively. The tension member is likewise formed as an I section adjacent its ends and comprises an upright web portion 12 and upper and lower flange portions 13 and, 14, respectively. The flange portions 11 and 14 of the compression and tension members are preferably continued, as illustrated, past the outer flange 7 of; the elliptic structure 4: to form the adjacent web members.

The inner portions of the compression and tension members are decreased in depth to provide greater flexibility, the compressmn member also changing in shape in the pres ent embodiment from an I section to a channel section and the intermediate portions of the members are spaced by bolster columns 15. The change in the cross-section of ,the compression member from if to channel section is accomplished gradually, preferably over the bolster columns 15 by bifnrcatin the web 9 and flaring the portions thereo outwardly to form the depending flanges 16 and 17 of the channel portion of the com ression memher. The upper flange 10 of t e I SGCtIOIi of the compression member is continued to form the web portion 18 of the channel section. The lower flange 11 of the compression member is bifurcated along with the web 9 thereof and continued as beading 19 on the lower edges of the depending flanges 16 and 17.

The tension member 2 is decreased in depth toward its center as it approaches the bolster columns 15 and bifurcated adjacent its junction with said bolster columns to permit the lower portions thereof to extend 7 below and between the divided portions of till said tension member. At its junction with the bolster columns 15, the tension member 3 is so shallow in depth or flat that angular motion therebetween is permissible without a substantial increase in secondary stresses. in other words, a substantially nonarigid or articulated union is provided at the junction between the tension and bolster column members. Said tension member 3 finally merges with depending flanges 20 from the spring seat portion 21 which connects the lower ends of the bolster columns 15, as illus trated particularly in Figure 3.

The spring seating or spring plank portion 21 preferably comprises a substantially horizontal web portion 22 formed with a central depending flange or web portion 23 in addition to the flange portions 20 which its inner edge, a relatively'wide join witlr-the tension member 3. The lower edge ofthe flange portion 23 is preferably ribbed or beaded at 24.. The web 22 is formed relatively wide so as to accommodate ,flexing of the compression member 2 to which they are united attheir upper ends. The web 26 of said bolster columns has, at flange 27 serving as a bolster guide portion and said web may have at its outer edges beading or outwardly extending ribs 28. The outer edge of the web 26 is preferably ribbed or beaded, as indicated at 29, curved outwardly and downwardly adjacent the lower portion of the bolster columns, and finally extended between the divided portion of the tension member 3 and continued as beading 24 011 the downwardly extending flange 23 of the spring seating portion 21.

The flange 27 of the bolster columns 15, at the lower portions thereof, is extended outwardly to increase the width of the window opening 30 tofacilitate insertion and removal of said bolster, as is usual. The width of the flange 27 is also preferably in creased and finally curved inwardly and merged with the web 22, as illustrated par ticularly in Figure 1. The upper portion of the bolster columns, particularly the webs 26-thereof, are flared outwardly and connected with the lower portion of the compression member, the beading 29 thereon preferably curving around and merging with the lower flange 11 0f the compression member. Although in the first embodiment illustrated the elliptical structures at the ends of the frame are shown merely adapted for connection with the journal boxes, I do not wish to be restricted to such a construction because, if desired, journal boxes may be formed integral therewith, as shown in Figure 11.

Besides the bracing webs 8 formed on said elliptical structure 4:, longitudinal bracing webs 31 flaring from the edges of the Webs 8, which are continued from the lower flange 11 of the compression member, may be provided merging at their outer portions with the adjacent webs 8. Triangular reinforcing ribs 32 may also be provided extending. between angular portions of the inner flange 6 of the elliptical structure 4 and adapted to contact the adjacent portions of the journal boxes. Triangular webs or ribs 33 may also be provided extending from the lower flange 14 of the tension member to the adjacent inner jaw portions 34 of the elliptical struc- 1 ture 4.

11, the construction may be the same as that previously described, with a journal box 35 embraced by therigid structure 4 at each end of the frame and cast integral with the frame. The flange portions 6 of these structures 4 are preferably extended, as illus trated, to form the top and side walls of the boxes.

In view of the foregoing disclosure it will be apparent that I have devised an improved side frame for railway car trucks which may be cast as an integral structure and yet provide relatively non-rigid or flexible joints between the tension member and bolster columns. as well as adjacent the center of the compression member. Thecompression and tension members are increased in depth and strength outwardly toward the points of application of the main forces, and preferably rigidly united at their ends and to a rigid structure either formed around each journal box or adapted to embrace a journal box at each end of the frame. In other words, the cross-section area, and preferably the height of one or both of said members or the webs thereof, is increased progressively from intermediate portions to or toward the ends of the members. In this way the forces at said ends, which are augmented by secondary stresses at the junctions between the members are more efliciently taken care of. When in motion with the car on which the frame is applied, the stresses at the ends of the frame are further increased by dynamic forces and impacts transmitted through thewheels and axles of the car.

The bolster columns are formed sufii-' ciently strong but shallow enough to accommodate themselves to the flexure of the compression member adjacent the center thereof. The spring seatingportion or spring plank seat is formed so that theoretically it is a segmental filler block resting in the catenary portion of the tension member but some of its material is integrally connected with the tension member so that it carries some of the tensile stress in said member.

Un account of this construction the -com pression and tension members act substantially as cantilevers rigidly anchored together over the journal boxes and pin-connected adjacent the bolster columns. Such a construction makes it possible to reduce the weight of east side frames without sacrificing strength thereof because secondary stresses. which are sometimes critical ones, are merely reduced at certain points.

The structure is after all a simple beam formed as an open truss carrying a. central load distributed over practically the entire distance between the vertical ties and there is actually a pin connection at the points of tegral journal boxes may rotate. The jaw end and its partially elliptic reinforcement provides adequate sections to resist local bending moments which will actually be present through the practical non-intersec tion of the three force lines that are intended to intersect directly over the center of the axle. Incidentally, the construction resists a very definite calculable bending moment from a fore-and-aft load resulting from brake applications or something similar.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: v

1. A side frame comprising compression, tension'and bolster column members, said compression and tension members being rigidly united at their ends, said bolster column members spacing intermediate portions of the compression and tension members and flexibly united with the tension member.

A side frame comprising compression and tension members rigidly united at their ends and tapering in depth therefrom to intermediate portions thereof, bolster columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members, the tension member being so reduced in depth adjacent its connection with said bolster columns that a relatively flexible junction therebetween is provided.

3. A truck side frame comprising compression, tension and bolster column members, said comp] ession and tension members being rigidly united at their ends and spaced at intermediate portions by the bolster columns, said tension member being relatively deep and rigid adjacent its junction with the compression member and relatively shallow and flexible adjacent its junction with the bolster columns.

ft. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members united ateach end of the frame to a rigid structure adapted to extend over and embrace a journal box, intermediate portions of said members being relatively flexible. 7

5. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members united at each end of the frame to an elliptic structure adapted to extend over and embrace a journal box and comprising curved outer and inner bounding portions joined by approximately radially disposed webs.

6..A truck side fraine comprising compression and tension members united at each end of the frame to an elliptic structure adapted to extend over and embrace a journal box, said elliptic structure comprising an upright web and inner and outer flanges united at their ends.

7. A truck side frame comprising com- -pression and tension members each formed with upright longitudinal webs and upper and lower flanges extending therealong, said being formed as c'ontinuations of compres members being united at their ends to elliptic structures eachadapted to extend over and embrace a journal box, said elliptic structures each being formed with an upright longitudinal web and outer and inner flanges, the webs of the compression and tension members merging wi h the webs of said structures and the upper and lower flanges of said members merging respectively with the outer and inner flanges of said structures.

8. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members each formed with upright longitudinal webs and upper and lower flanges extending therealong, said members being-"united at their ends to elliptic structures each adapted to extend over and embrace a journal box, said elliptic structures each being formed with an upright longitudinal web and outer and inner flanges, the webs of the compression and tension members merging with the webs of said structures and the upper and lower flanges of said members merging respectively with the outer and inner flanges of said structures, said elliptic structures being provided with transverse bracing webs radiating from the inner to the outer flanges.

9; A truck side frame comprising compression andtension members each formed with upright longitudinal webs and upper and lower flanges extending therealong, said members being united at their ends to elliptie structures each adapted to extend over and embrace a journal box, said ellipticstructures each-being formed with an upright longitudinal web and 'outer and inner flanges, the webs of the compression and tension members merging with the webs of said stru'cturesand the upper and lower flan es of said members merging respectively wit the outer and inner flanges of said structures,

said elliptic structures being provided with' transverse bracing webs radiating from the inner to the outer flanges, some of said webs sion and tension member flanges, whereby said members and structures are more rig-- idly united.

10. A truck side frame comprising compression, tension and bolster column members, said compression member being rigidly connected to thetension member adjacent the ends thereof and decreasing in depth inwardly therefrom to permit azmaxim'um flexing at the center thereof under load. 1

11. A truck side, frame comprising compression, tensionand bolster column members, said compression member being rigidly connected 'to the tension member adjacent the ends thereof and decreasing in depth in wardly therefrom to permit a maximum flexing at the center thereof under load, said bolster column members serving to space intermediate portions of the compression and tension members and being relatively shallow to accommodatethemselves to flexing of the compression member.

12. A truck side frame comprising compression, tension and bolster column members, said compression and tension members being rigidly connected together adjacent the ends thereof and both decreasing in depth inwardly therefrom to permit maximum flexing at the I intermediate portion thereof, said bolster column 'members'serving to space said intermediate portions, whereby said compression and tension members act substantially as cantilevers rigidly anchored together at the ends. thereof and pin-connected to the bolster columns.

13. A-truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member and I bolster columns, said bolster columns serving to space intermediate portions of said compression and tension members, and formed with a segmental filler block portion, between the -lower portions of the bolster 'columns,resti ng' on said tension member, with the formation of a flexible joint therebetween. I

'14. A truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member and bolster columns, said bolster columns serving tojspace intermediate portions of said compression and tension members, said tension, member extending below the bolster columns and bifurcated so that portions of said columns, can pass .therethrough.

15. A truck side frame comprising a com pression member, a tension member and bolster columns, said bolster colunms serving to space intermediate portions of said compression and tension members, said tension member being decreased in depth, bifur- 'cated, and-extended below the bolster col- 16. A truck side frame comprising a com-.

pression member, a tension member and bolster columns, said bolster columns'servi-ng'to space intermediate portions of said compression and tension member, said tension member being decreased in depth, bifur- .cated, and extended below the bolster columns, the bifurcated portion embracing downward extensions'from the bolster columns' and providing a flexible connection therewith, portions ofthe bolster columns v being so connected to the tension member gradually changing from a channel of relatively small depth at intermediate portions thereof to a relatively deep Lbeam adjacent the ends thereof.

18. A truckside frame comprising compression and tension members united at each end of the frame to a rigid structure embracing a journal box, said members decreasing in depth toward intermediate portions thereof to minimize secondary stresses. 19. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members united at each end of the frame to an elliptic structure integral with and embracing a journal box, said elliptic structure comprising an upright web and inner united at their ends.

and outer flanges 20. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members each formed with upright longitudinal webs and, upper and lower flanges extending therealong, said members being united at' their ends to e1- liptic structures integral with and embracing a journal box, said elliptic structures each being formed with .an upright longitudinal web and outer and inner flanges, the Webs of the compression and tension members i'nerging with the webs of said structures and the upper and lower flanges of said members merging respectively with the outer and inner flanges of said structures.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

